Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)

B.A. Rideout; I. Stalis; R. Papendick; A. Pessier; B. Puschner; M.E. Finkelstein; D. R. Smith; Matthew Johnson; M. Mace; R. Stroud; J. Brandt; J. Burnett; C. Parish; J. Petterson; C. Witte; C. Stringfield; K. Orr; J. Zuba; M. Wallace; J. Grantham

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.95

Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

By: B.A. Rideout, I. Stalis, R. Papendick, A. Pessier, B. Puschner, M.E. Finkelstein, D. R. Smith, Matthew Johnson, M. Mace, R. Stroud, J. Brandt, J. Burnett, C. Parish, J. Petterson, C. Witte, C. Stringfield, K. Orr, J. Zuba, M. Wallace, and J. Grantham

https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.95

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Abstract

We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception of the reintroduction program in 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment of self-sustaining populations in the wild. A total of 135 deaths occurred from October 1992 (the first post-release death) through December 2009, from a maximum population-at-risk of 352 birds, for a cumulative crude mortality rate of 38%. A definitive cause of death was determined for 76 of the 98 submitted cases, 70% (53/76) of which were attributed to anthropogenic causes. Trash ingestion was the most important mortality factor in nestlings (proportional mortality rate [PMR] 73%; 8/11), while lead toxicosis was the most important factor in juveniles (PMR 26%; 13/50) and adults (PMR 67%; 10/15). These results demonstrate that the leading causes of death at all California Condor release sites are anthropogenic. The mortality factors thought to be important in the decline of the historic California Condor population, particularly lead poisoning, remain the most important documented mortality factors today. Without effective mitigation, these factors can be expected to have the same effects on the sustainability of the wild populations as they have in the past.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
Series title	Journal of Wildlife Diseases
DOI	10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.95
Volume	48
Issue	1
Year Published	2012
Language	English
Publisher	Wildlife Disease Association
Contributing office(s)	Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description	18 p.
First page	95
Last page	112
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page